Image producing or recording apparatus



W. E. SWALM AND W. C. BRYAN.

IMAGE'PRODUCING 0R RECORDING APPARATUS.

APPLlcAlon FILED nic. 9. 1914. RENEwED -1uLY 2o, 1921.

1,391,807. Pamdsept. l27, 1921.

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- w.EswALM ANnw.lcy.BRYAN. IMAGE PRGDUQIN'G 0R RECORDING APPARATUS.APPLICATION FILED DEC. gr 1-914- RENEWED JlILY 20.15321.

1,391,807, Pandsept. 27,1921.

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WITNES SES NvENT UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. SWALM AND C. BRYAN, OF'LOS ANGELES,

' IMAGE PRODUCING 0B RECORDING APPARATUS.

specificati@ of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

Application led December 9, 1914, Serial No. 876,219. Renewed July. 20,1921. Serialv'llo. 43,187,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that We, VILLLIAM E. SWALM and lVlLLIAM C. BRYAN, bothcitizens of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county ofLos Angeles and State of California, have jointly invented new anduseful Improvements in Image Producing or vRecording Apparatus, of whichthe following is a specification. f

This invention relates to image producing or recording apparatus; and ithas for its object to provide apparatus whereby simultaneously images ofmore than one face or side or field of an object, device or article maybe presented at a common point for view, recordation or furtherprojections. Such apparatus may be advantageously used for manypurposes, in displaying goods or articles or making hotographic recordsthereof. A particular y advantageous use of such apparatus concerns'thesimultaneous production and recordation of images of both the obverseand the reverse sides of written instruments, such as contracts, notes,bills of exchange, checks and the like, so that the matter of eachsideor face is coupled for identification or comparison with the matter ofthe other side or face thereof. The apparatus may likewise be employedfor recording such images intermingled or blended so that the imagecomposite of the 'matter of both sides or faces may be record-I ed, moreclosely associating the matter of each side or -ace with that of theother and thus perpetuating beyond dispute the superficial aspects ofthewritings or the like of both sides of a given instrument. In thelatter case the very tissue, fiber or constitution of the materialcomprising the body of the instrument may, as to its image, be mergedwith or incorporated in the composite record of the superficial showingsof the instrument, thus permitting' the perpetuation of the document notonly as to the matter upon its faces but as tothe very particular fiberor weave or substance upon which the surface indications appear.

It will be manifest that the apparatus thus provides highly valuablemeans for perpetuating those commercial and legal instruments which haveto pass through many hands and are transmitted from point to point andthus put out of the custody and protection of the maker or endorser ofsuch document, or other person who has contributed to the issuance orutterance and eXecution thereof. When a bank check forinstance is takenfor collection-by a' bank remote from the bank upon which such check isdrawn, it is customary for the bank making collection thereon totransmit the check to the bank upon which it is drawn or to a`correspondent in the4 place in which the latter bank isy located. Incase such check is lost in the mails, or is destroyed in transit,-

or is alteredin transit, ordinarily no complete legal evidence eizistsas to the body and substance of such instrument, and it can only berestored or reproduced, ordinarily, upon oral evidence as to originalsubstance and contents, which often results in mistake,

confusion, fraud and loss.

Continuing discussion of the utility of this apparatus along the samelines, or with respect to the same purposes of use, we wish to point outthat the employment of apparatus embodying the invention enables theinexpensive and convenient recordation of.

the showings of such instruments or documents to be made by any personconcerned or institution interested in perpetuation thereof, the lrecordso obtained being shown peradventure accurate and true as a photographicrecord must be. Thus, a banking institution employing such apparatus cankeep Ain its files a true, perfect and complete record of both obverseand reverse showings of all commercial paper, checks,

drafts and the like which goes from its doors, i

thus affording undisputable evidence and proof as to the full nature andcharacterand contents and substance of such instrument irrespective ofwhat changes, damages or destroying agencies as may alter, obliterate,or destroy the original instrument. The apparatus producessimultaneously images true to the showing of bothl sides of suchinstrument, and simultaneously records the same, where desired, likewisesimultaneously blending with the image of the matter of either face animage of the matter of the other face, in accordance with pre-selection.

It will be understood that no specific means of recordation enter intothe present invention, but that the apparatus may even he complete in anembodiment of the invention when so organized as to project to a givenpoint of vision or re rejection the Aimages both directand trans used asabove .set forth.

The invention has fora particular object the pro'vision vof apparatus ofthe character disclosed which will be superior in point of relativesimplicity, inexpensiveness of construction and organization,durability, facility in adjustment, adaptability4 to varying conditionsand kinds of service, and relatively compact in form; and which will begenerally superior in efficiency and serviceability.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel and useful provision, formation, construction, combination,association and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, allas hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and finally pointed outin claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly diagrammatic, of apparatusforproducing and recording images embodying the 1nvent1on, parts beingbroken away for clearness of illustration Fig. 2 is a front elevation ofthe same, likewise partly broken away, and upon a reduced scale;

. Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional view, partly diagrammatic,taken on the. line :v3-m3, Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of `theappended arrows; photographic recordation means being likewisediagrammatically shown in association therewith;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view of details ofthe construction shown in the above figures, the same being taken uponthe line v5- m5, Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of features of' the construction shown inthe preceding figures in detached position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary inner face view of lighting means shown inseveral of the above figures;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal transverse sectional view o-f the same, takenupon the line :vs -m3,

*ig. 9'is in inner face view of a modified form of lighting means;

Fig. 10 1s a diagrammatic face view of a record such' as produced in theoperation of apparatus embodying the invention;.

ig. 11 is Aan enlarged detail view of a form of record similar to partsof the plural record shown in Fig. 10; in Fig. 10 the .record is-indicated as that of separate images of obverse and reverse sides of aninstrument, the showing in Fig. 11 being amplified by an inclusion inthe record of each side or face of an incorporated record of the otherside or face, all as above initially discussed; and f Fig. 12 is anisometric view of certain features of the invention shown in Figs. 1 an5.A

Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by the samereference characters.`

Referring with particularity to the d rawings, the apparatus showntherein as embodying the invention includes primarily an objectdisplaying or holding member A, means B for directing images of theobject to a point of observation or recordation or further projection,and lighting means C for illuminating the object a and producing imagesthereof for reflection by the means B. In the form of construction shownin the drawings, the means A and B, and the adjuncts and-attendantfeatures hereinafter described, are shown duplicated in installation, insuperposed relation, providing for increase of capacit or service of agiven apparatus; and it 1s to be understood that as many sets or groupsof these essential elements and their attendant features as desired maybe combined together, all in response to the conditions or requirementsof service to be'met with. Each of such groups or sets is shown asaccommodated or mounted in a frame D, which may be mounted upon anysuitable base or support E. F

designates controllin means for the illuminating means C. in Fig. 3 desinates recording means, photographic ass own, whereby the images of. theobjects a, or of a plurality of such objects a, are perpetuated upon asuitable light-sensitive surface or plurality of such surfaces. Hdesignates adjusting means for the means A and B,

whereby such two last named means may be relatively positioned in orderthat the reflection of images by the means B may be controlled.

A more detailed description will now be given of the construction andinter-relation of parts and features entering into the apparatus, theorganization of which has been above briey outlined; and it will beunderstood that this description pertains to each ofthe groups or setsof members A, B and C, without the necessityof repetition or speciiicapplication of descriptive lan uage to each set or group. To support-anaccommodate `the various members and elements of of the frame D andhaving matched beveled i edges 15, which permit of variation of angularrelation between the mirrors, such mirrors being suspended at their endsby the adjustin means H which comprise a plurality o links or arms `16adustably connected with the frame by thum nuts 17 and 130 pivotallyconnected with such mirrors, as at 18. The holding and displaying memberor means A is disposed between the mirrors B, ranging transversely ofthe frame D, and includes two transparent plates 19, of lass or thelike, which are flexibly hinge together at their rearward edges, as at20, namely at the edges which are disposed at the angle formed by themeeting edges ofthe mirrors. The lates 19 of the member A rest in askeleton rame 21 which ranges transversely of the frame D and issuspended at its sides b otherlinks or arms 16 connected adjusta ly withthe frame D by thumb screws 17 and with the member A as at 18a. Themanipulation of the links 16 and 16 permits the relative angularity ofmined, as well as the relative angularity of saidmirrors and thedisplaying member A. Between the plates 19 of the latter is or areplaced the articles or devices 2,2 images of which are to be produced bythe lighting means C and reflected by the mirrors thepoint of vision orrecordation or further projection. Such article or device` 22 shown inthe drawing as consisting of a bank check, upon which it is to beunderstood represent'ations or wordings 0r writings appear upon both thereverse and4 obverse faces or sides. The image-carrying light rays aredirected at the diaphragm 23 of photographic means G, by the lens 24 ofwhich such light rays are spread over the light sensitive surfacerefracted for proper distribution over the light sensitive surface 25'where the images carried by such light rays are recorded, to producesuch a record as shown in Fig. 10 the upper group of record portionsbeing the front and back showings of a plurality of checks in the upperappaset or bank of such obverse and reverse sides of another set ofchecks 22 displayed by the member A of the lower apparatus unit.

The lighting means C are shown as subdivided intov a plurality ofl unitsor banks of electric lights, an upper horizontal bank k, a lowerVhorizontal bank Z, with respect to the upper apparatus unit, and anupper horizontal bank Z and a lower horizontal bank la with respect tothe lower apparatus unit, the bank Z being common to both units; andvertical lateral banks m and n which may be common to both apparatusunits. Such horizontal banks are ranged slightly forwardly of the framesD; and the vertical banks are preferably ranged slightly rearward of thefront portions of the frames D. Each of such banks of lights contains aplurality of electric lamps 2 6, whichV are partially housed in andmounted upon a reflector 27 which is surfaced to properly distribute thelight of the lamps upon the obthe mirrors B to be predeter B tov 'lheelectrical circuits of all of the banks of llight may be led through aconduit or con-- upon which duits V91 to the base or support E 1sinstalled the light controlling means F,

consisting of a main electrical switch 32- which receives electricalsupply from line wires, and a plurality of rheostats, dimmers orthe-like 33, one for each electrical circuit, and each separatelycontrolled by a knife Switch or the like 34, f

' In Fig. 9 we have shown lighting means including a bank o whichcontainsa plurality of electric lamps 26 the candle powers of whichvary, increasing in strength from the-central llamp outwardly to theends of the bank, such bank being adapted. for substitution for the`horizontal banks lc and Z if it is desired to eliminate the' verticallateral banks m and 11 which, if installed are for the purpose of moreeffectively illuminating the lateral lportions of the displaying memberA and. t e articles 22 therein, in orderV that the yimage records may beuniform in intensity, in that respect compensating for the shading offof images toward the margins of the recording or light sensitivesurface, dueto the unequal distribution of light rays following therefractory action ofthe lens. Between the groups and subgroups of imagerecords such as lshown in .Figs 10 and 11 transverse plain spaces 35occur, being produced respectively by the' forwardly presented edge ofthe holding and displaying member A and the forwardly resented reflectorback of the common bank of lights Z. Within these spaces may be enteredsuch pertain to the various images and sets of images recorded, so thatthe record when filed away will be complete in its showing of the objector device exhibited and pictured and theidentification thereof.

To enable a photographic record of papers, checks or other objects ofdifferent colors or shadesA to be made on the same light sensitivesurface 25,v we may provide one or a plurality of ray filters or shields35, of plain or colored, transparent or opaque material, each adapted tobe 'applied over the paper, check or the like to be screened. convenientform of such ray filter or shield 35 is shown in Figs. 5 and 12, asbeing of U-shapeland slidably mounted upon a transverse bar 36 extendingacross the back of the. frame D, which may be conveniently atmemorandaof identification as over the object to be screened, the U-shapedformation of the shield 35& adapting it to cover both sides of theobject to be screened. Complete exposure of the light sensitive surfacesmay be made with the shield in position, or partial exposure may bemade, the

in position supported by the holding and displaying means A, and thereflectors or projecting means B are properly angularly related, and thelighting means C supplied with energy through the controlling means F,images of both sides or faces of the article, such as the bank c, willbe refiected from the mirrors B to a point of observation, recordationor further disposition, as at or beyond the diaphragm 23 of thephotographic recording means G. Thus at a given point both sides orfaces of the article or object may be viewed simultaneously, and it ismanifest that by a further provision of mirrors more than two sides ofan object may thus be viewed. This may be of utility in displaying goodsand merchandise and for many other purposes which will readily suggestthemselves. When a lens such as 24 is used, the image-carrying raysindicated in Fig. 3 will be by reflection distributed over the lightsensitive surface 25 so as to produce, in the use of two sets or unitsof the apparatus, a record such as that indicated in Fig. l0, both sidesof each check held by the means A being reproduced by light action uponthe sensitive surface resulting in such record. If the lighting means isof low enough potential each side or face of the ,check will have aseparate record and nothing more. If the light be of sufficientlygreater strength certain of the rays will pass through the check or thelike, and will produce an image reflected by the proper mirror whichwill be recorded as incorporated in the image recorded of the matter onthe side of the check presented directly to such mirror. Thus, eachimage produced would comprise a reproduction of the matter on that facein the record. Thus, the record may consist merely of a showing of thematter on the separate faces of the check;

or of a showing of the matter on one face of the check commingled withthe matter on the other face of the checkl alone; or of the matter ofeach face of the check commingled in each instance with the matter ofthe other face of the check. This latter record is indicated in Fig. 11.In either of these three cases positive evidence is obtained of what thecheck shows upon both faces, and in order that the two faces may beinter-related as to their subjects-matter in the record, the record ofeither one or both faces may show intermingled therewith the matter, inreversed reading, of the other face. Against Such evidence there can beno defense as to complete identification of the subject-matter of theentire check, and even any peculiar tissue or fiber or substance of thepaper o r other body itself will show in such record. The relativepotentials of the lighting means and of the banks of lights k, Z, m andn thereof may be varied by means of the dimmers or rheostats or the like33, and the switchest controlling the circuits to the several separatebanks of such light. The provision of the vertical lateral banks oflights m and n provides for a suitable illumination at the sides of thefield of image production which otherwise, as above stated, might be butdimly reproduced upon the recording surface. This same provision may bemade by substituting the bank o of lights of graduated intensity for thehorizontal banks c and Z. The adjusting means H permit the relativeangularity of the holding means a and the mirrors or reflectors of thelike B to be predetermined, all with respect to the range of projectionfrom such mirrors.

It is manifest that the invention provides for most accurate comparisonof two or more sides of a given object, and for recordation of suchmanifestations or subject-matter as may appear respectively thereupon,and also provides, Where translucent articles or bodies are beinginspected or recorded, of the production .of a record in which themanifestations or subjects-matter on the several sides or faces may becaused to show in registration or intermingled, thus producing moreabsolute proof of the physical and superficial constitution of theobject or document.

It is manifest that many changes and variations may be made with respectto the specific construction and inter-relation of parts and featuresshown in the drawings and above described, all without departing fromthe spirit of the invention and a fair interpretation thereof.

Having thus described our invention, We claim and desire t0 secure byLetters Patent:

1. The combination with angularly-related image reflecting members, ofan approximate y transparent object adapted to be reflected, means forholding the object in position to be reflected, land means forillum-inatin the object causing light rays to pass theretrough.

2. 'Apparatus of the character disclosed,

comprising angularly related reflecting members and transparent membersbetween' which an object to be reilected is placed; means for adjustablysupporting said last named members, and means for adjusting supportingthe reflecting members.

3. In apparatus of the character disclosed, relatively angularly-relatedimage reflecting means, and means for supporting and securing an objectbetween said image' reflecting means in such manner that both sides ofthe object are reflected from the imagerelecting means; means beingprovided for `illuminating an object when held b said supportlng means;and an image re ection modifying device cooperating with the objectsupporting means.

4. In apparatus of the character disclosed,v

relatively angularl members, means supporting said members, andtransparent object supporting members disposed between the imagereflecting members and adapted to -related image reflecting supportand'hold therebetween an object to be reflected, the opposed faces ofsaid members being adapted to engage the object;

or relatively adjustablyA means for adjustably supporting said lastnamed members, and illuminating means disposed to cast li ht rays uponan object held by said memiers in order that both Vsides of the objectare illuminated.

5. The combination with a lens, means for supporting an object ture tobe reflected at a point remote from the lens, of illuminating meanslocatedso as to cast light rays upon and through an object held by saidsupporting means, and image reflecting means arranged with relation tothe lens, illuminating means, ject t0 be reflected, so that both theobverse and reverse sides of the object are reflected from the samereflecting means and projected to the lens.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to-this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM E. swALM. WILLIAM C. BRYAN.

Witnesses:

ALrREoH. DAEHLER, A. E. SEx'roN.

and obof a transparent na-

